Sunday, 26 April 2015

Meet our Apprentices!

One of the options open to
you after the age of 16 is to train through an Apprenticeship.This is a way of learning the skills
necessary for various careers while earning at the same time.

An Apprenticeship will
often suit young people who do not want to go into full-time further or higher
education, but still want to gain extra qualifications that are work related.

At Sidhil we currently
offer 3 types of apprenticeship; Customer Services, Business Admin and
Engineering; our courses are run through Kits and Training2000.We interviewed two of our staff members, Brad
Wilson and Levi Bedford - both have been through the KITS apprentice programme
for Engineering.

Training is delivered initially through Block
Release then 4 days per week at Sidhil and 1 day per week
at college.

What does the
training process include at KITS?

Training starts with 2 weeks theory in the classroom and
then into the on-site workshop. KITS has a fully resourced workshop designed to
replicate a modern workshop environment. All our apprentices receive training
on a wide range of equipment that they will find in a workshop, from manual
lathes and milling machines to the latest state of the art CNC machines with on
machine justification.After 6 months
the apprentice is ready for a company placement.

Brad Wilson – Mechanical Engineer (Qualified 2015)

Age 20 - B-Tech in Mechanical Engineering

1. When did you start the apprenticeship?

Started in 2000

2. Where did you hear
about Apprenticeships?

Internet.

3. You’ve been
working with Sidhil for 4 years now, how did you get the job?

Kits work in partnership with Sidhil; they arranged some
interviews with local manufacturing companies.I came for an interview at Sidhil and they gave me the job.

4. Can you remember
how you felt when you first started at Sidhil?

I was ready to start working and get on with learning the
job really.

5. How did you find
the apprenticeship overall?

It’s been good, I’ve enjoyed it and it has flown by.

6. Best bits?

I enjoyed working on the Innov8 iQ bed and I have just
finished working on the new iQ Split Side rails, that’s been a good project and
I’ve learned a lot.

8. Do you feel the
work experience that you've gained is better than full time college / learning
on the job?

Yes definitely, you learn so much more from being hands on
with the tools and using them everyday. Also working with experienced Engineers
is good.Also earning money whilst you
train helps!

What are the main
skills you have been taught whilst working at Sidhil?

• Work with lathes

• Milling

• Bench work - fitting

• CNC forming/punching

• Computer Aided Design (CAD)

9.So now you are a qualified Mechanical
Engineer are you happy about staying at Sidhil?

Yes definitely, I like it here, I’m also doing a HNC course
now in People and Project Management.

10. What are your
future plans and career ambitions?

Eventually I would like to manage a team and run my own
projects.

11. Should people be
considering apprenticeships?

It’s a good way to get a good career without getting
yourself into debt at Uni and you earn whilst you train, it was the best option
for me.

Levi Bedford – Mechanical Engineer (Apprentice)

Age 19 - City in Guilds in Mechanical Engineering

1. When did you start the apprenticeship?

Started in 2014

2. Where did you hear
about Apprenticeships?

I was studying Public Service at Calderdale College because
I wanted to train to be an Engineer in the Army, I finished the course and at
the time my twin brother was doing an apprenticeship with Kits, he liked it, so
I thought I would try one.

3. You’ve been
working with Sidhil for just over 2 months now, how did you get the job?

The same as Brad, Kits set up some interviews and I got a
job with Sidhil.

4. How has it been at
Sidhil since you stared?

Everyone has been so welcoming since I started, I like it
because the work is hands on and I have learnt so much since I started on the
job.

5. How did you find
the apprenticeship overall?

I’m really enjoying it and it's given me the chance to take
my English qualification again as part of my functional skills. I found out
today that I had passed my English with a score of 98%.

6. Do you feel the
work experience that you've gained is better than full time college / learning
on the job?

Yes, it's all good, I’m learning so much and I like working
with the other lads in the team and at the end of it I will be a qualified
Mechanical Engineer.

7. What are your
future plans and career ambitions?

Eventually I would like to be an underwater welder, fixing
oilrigs.

8. Should people be
considering apprenticeships?

Yes definitely, if you don’t want to go to Uni, and you’re
struggling to get started with work because you don’t have the skills, then
it’s a good way of getting onto the right path for a career.

If you want to find out more about Apprenticeships at Sidhil please contact our HR department.